RYAN Giggs has admitted that inspiring Wales to the Euro 2004 finals would top his glittering career.

That is some statement by a player who trumps Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, George Best and co as Manchester United's most decorated player, achieving 21 trophies in 12 glorious years at Old Trafford.

The flying Welshman, who celebrates his 30th birthday two weeks tomorrow, has equalled Liverpool greats Alan Hansen and Phil Neal's record of eight top-flight English League crowns.

Giggs also has one Champions League and three FA Cup winners medals in his bulging trophy cabinet, yet, surprisingly, not a PFA Footballer of the Year accolade.

Giggs is in the top five of the Champions League appearance list with nigh on 90 outings in Europe's premier club competition.

But as the Cardiff-born left-winger prepares for tomorrow's Euro 2004 play-off first-leg here in Russia, Giggs believes representing Wales in the European Championships would beat the lot.

He said: "The play-offs are two massive games for us because of what is at stake. "If we get past Russia we're at a major championships and as a player you want to play against the best players in Europe.

"However, I'm fortunate enough to play in the Champions League every other week and playing against the best Europe has to offer.

"But it does not get any bigger than playing against the likes of Portugal, Germany and Italy for my country."

Wales boss boss Mark Hughes has suffered an injury crisis as he draws-up his blueprint for battle against the Russians.

Key midfield duo Mark Pembridge and Simon Davies have joined striker Craig Bellamy and defensive trio Robert Page, Rhys Weston and Adrian Williams in the treatment room.

But Giggs honestly trusts Wales' squad players, insisting: "The players we've got available are definitely capable of getting us into the Euro 2004 finals.

"Sure, we could do without the injuries but that is what the squad is for. We just have to get on with the job and not moan about it."

Giggs was only a teenager - just - when Wales last suffered major championship heartbreak as Romania pipped Terry Yorath's men to the World Cup 1994 in the United States thanks to a last-day victory in Cardiff.

"There are a few of the current lads like Gary Speed and Andy Melville who were at the Romania game so we're doubly determined not to let that happen again.

"This chance might not come for another ten years. We deteriorated badly after the Romania game but have picked it up and done well in recent years.

"And our support is the best in Europe, we'd love to do it for them but we want to do it for ourselves as well."

"We're at the play-off stage on merit and if we can produce the performances we know we're capable of then we have a great chance."

Giggs believes Wales need to keep it tight in Moscow tomorrow, adding: "We don't want to get back to Cardiff on Wednesday and have no chance. We still need to be in with a shout."